How to become a Resident

Interested in joining the Waseskun Healing Center?
You can download the application form and refer to the procedure

to follow according to your status.
*All applications must meet the requirements of their respective institutions and the acceptance of the Waseskun Center.

FEDERAL

The Waseskun Healing Centre accepts Residents from federal establishment under the following agreements and contracts:

Section 81: transfer of minimum security inmates to Waseskun;
Section 84: federal residents on day parole, statutory release, or with a residency condition;
Alternative to Suspension/Revocation of conditional release: this program offers an alternative to the suspension or revocation of conditional release;
PP60: this program focuses on gradual temporary releases of 60 days at Waseskun, followed by a return to prison for a special number of days before the next PP60;
External Temporary Absences (ETAs): ETAs allow inmates to visit Waseskun to assess its suitability for the next phase of their healing journey. In general, these are for one day only but could be for a longer period.

The application process is as follows:

Contact your Parole Officer (PO) to discuss your application. Your parole officer's support will be important to you in the application process, as will your good relationship with him or her;
Complete an application form and write a letter of intent, telling us why you want to come to Waseskun and what issues you want to work on as part of your cure;
Request a Community Survey via your PO.

It's also a good idea to have a good relationship with your establishment's Elder, and to participate in the programs offered there.

Download Application Form - Federal

PROVINCIAL

The Waseskun Healing Centre accepts Residents from provincial establishment under the following agreements and contracts:

Day Parole of Full Parole: provincial inmates may apply for day parole (1/6 of their sentence) or full parole (1/3 of their sentence) at Waseskun;
Conditional Sentence: a judge can impose a conditional sentence of 6 months to 2 years less one day;
"Supervised" Probation: individuals on supervised probation may either volunteer to attend Waseskun through their probation officer or be placed here.

The application process is as follows:

Contact your Probation Officer (PO) or your lawyer to discuss your application. His or her support will be important for your application, as will your good relationship with him or her;
Write a letter of intent, telling us why you want to come to Waseskun and what issues you want to work on as part of your recovery;

Complete the application form;
Send us a pre-sentence report or an assessment report.

Download Application Form - Provincial

COMMUNITY REFERENCE

Occasionally, Waseskun enters direct contracts with communities to provide specialized treatment and healing programs. These are generally for a 6-month period.

If you are referred by your Community, the application process is as follows:

Complete an application form;
Write a letter of intent, telling us why you want to come to Waseskun and what issues you want to work on as part of your healing;

Prove that you have secure funding from community resources or other government programs for your stay at Waseskun.

Download Application Form - Community Reference

Exclusion Criteria

The Waseskun Healing Center will not accept applications from offenders who:

has not completed a period of detoxification;
requires ongoing psychiatric care;
requires ongoing medical or palliative care such as dialysis or chemotherapy;
is actively involved with a criminal organization or gang;
presents an unmanageable risk to the community.

These criteria are a guide to ensure that the candidates we accept are motivated and serious about their Healing.

Our decisions are based on the information contained in the candidate's file; information obtained from his Probation or Parole Officer, Elder and other Correctional Services personnel; the letter of intent; and the sincerity expressed by the candidate during our telephone conference with him.

Personal belongings at Waseskun

Residents should have money transferred with them on arrival, so that they can purchase items such as smoking materials, snacks (meals are provided) or clothing if required. They can also receive transfers or have money sent to them by relatives during their stay. Each resident can have a personal account enabling them to make withdrawals twice a week. A maximum balance of $50 is allowed on their account at all times.

All residents are able to bring their personal belongings with them from the prison from which they came. They may also purchase additional items at Waseskun, subject to prior request. These items will be recorded in the resident's inventory. Residents can also request that items be brought or sent to them from home.

When a Resident leaves Waseskun, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) covers shipping costs for a limited quantity of personal effects for federal residents (sections 81 and 84), while costs for provincial residents are not covered by the Correctional Service of Québec (CSQ).